Recently picked up an 88 s10 blazer, 4.3, 4x4. Came with the bare-bones gauge cluster (speedo/fuel gauge). I like to know whats going on with whatever I'm driving, especially it being a daily, so I installed some gauges (elec. oil pressure/water temp). While driving around the city, and even briefly on the highway I noticed the temp gauge went up to around 210 F. Engine smells like its running hot, so I'm assuming the thermostat is stuck closed. (going to change it anyway) Rads full, overflow has proper amount of coolant. Any suggestions? Whats the average operating temperature for these things?

thanks!

 

210 is normal when the engine is up to temp with a load on it. Anything higher is the time to start worrying. If it getting that high with minimal load all the time then I would suggest start looking into the cooling system.

 

Hey guys, first post...hey. I have been a Blazer owner for 20 years or so now. I had this exact same issue with a 89 Blazer...Jimmy actually with 125k or so on it. Turned out the factory radiator that was still in it has just built up so much corrosion it was restricting the flow of the coolant. Drain the system and then fill it with the recommended amount of coolant the manual says. If you cant get it all in, there you go. Hope that helps.

 

yeah id do a good flush along with the thermostat change
mine runs between 180-210
It used to overheat before cuz cat was clogged up before and it was boiling over in traffic, however if ur cats bad it would be VERY noticable when you put gas down but it seams good cut it out and after i did the thermostat and flush

 

yeah id do a good flush along with the thermostat change
mine runs between 180-210
It used to overheat before cuz cat was clogged up before and it was boiling over in traffic, however if ur cats bad it would be VERY noticable when you put gas down but it seams good cut it out and after i did the thermostat and flush

 

Rad looks newish, and coolant looks clean, so I swapped out the thermostat for a 160, she hovers around there now, so I'm happy with it. Thanks for the input guys.

 

Looks can be decieving. But if the temp has come down since you put a new thermostat in, then the old one could have being dying on you slowly. Glad everything worked out for you.

 

Any change since the 160 swap?

Mpg + or -
Driveabilty ?

Im in Houston tx and have pullies and am thing of cooler t stat

 

160 is too cool and it makes the engine wear way to much, tempt needs to be higher for you engine to operate properly. Your engine came with a 195º thermostat for a very good reason.